Non-destructive geographical traceability of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) using near infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometric methods.

Xiuhan Guo,Weijie Zhao,Rui Cai,Bo Tang,Yueqing Li,Shisheng Wang

doi:10.1098/rsos.170714

Abstract

Sea cucumber is the major tonic seafood worldwide, and geographical origin traceability is an important part of its quality and safety control. In this work, a non-destructive method for origin traceability of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) from northern China Sea and East China Sea using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and multivariate analysis methods was proposed. Total fat contents of 189 fresh sea cucumber samples were determined and partial least-squares (PLS) regression was used to establish the quantitative NIRS model. The ordered predictor selection algorithm was performed to select feasible wavelength regions for the construction of PLS and identification models. The identification model was developed by principal component analysis combined with Mahalanobis distance and scaling to the first range algorithms. In the test set of the optimum PLS models, the root mean square error of prediction was 0.45, and correlation coefficient was 0.90. The correct classification rates of 100% were obtained in both identification calibration model and test model. The overall results indicated that NIRS method combined with chemometric analysis was a suitable tool for origin traceability and identification of fresh sea cucumber samples from nine origins in China.

Highlights

Sea cucumber is a typical bottom-dwelling animal which pertains to the phylum Echinodermata (Aspidochirotida: Holothuroidea)
The 30 wavelength regions selected by ordered predictor selection (OPS) for partial least-squares (PLS) model of total fat contents were used for establishment of Step I identification model
S.G smoothing with 17 points before second derivative (SD) was applied as a pre-processed method, and principal component analysis combined with Mahalanobis distance (PCA-MD) method was performed on selected wavelength regions

Summary

Introduction

Sea cucumber is a typical bottom-dwelling animal which pertains to the phylum Echinodermata (Aspidochirotida: Holothuroidea). Many tortious acts such as confusing origins of products, selling seconds at best quality prices and adulteration are increased noticeably, and the resulting unscrupulous competitions have damaged consumer benefits and the reputation of geographical indication sea cucumbers. With regard to these severe food safety problems, the urgent countermeasure is to establish rapid and feasible methods for source identification and traceability of sea cucumber. The detailed aims of this study were to (i) select suitable wavelengths which could give best results for origin identification of A. japonicus by using OPS algorithm, (ii) establish NIRS identification model with PCA-MD and scaling to the first range algorithms rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org R.

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